Therapeutic electrode.



R. H. WAPPLER. THERPEUTIG BLBGTRODE.

APPLICATION FILED No.5. 1912.

1,074,146, Y Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

. e t A U 'NITED sTATEs I Parar cranica.

REINHOLD H. XVAPPLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ITAPLER ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

THERAPEUTIC ELECTRODE.

Application filed December 5, 1912.

To @ZZ fr0/0m it may concern Be it known that I, REINHOLD H. VAiL PLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Therapeutic Electrode, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electric therapeutic instrument of novel construction which is adapted to be applied to the human body with varying pressure and which will regulate by said pressure, the strength of the current entering said body.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a side view of a therapeutic electrode embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section thereof.

The device comprises essentially a metallic cylinder or casing 10 having a conductive bottom 11 and closed at its top by an insulating head 12, which is adapted lto be secured to the casing by bayonet couplings 13. `Within a. central perforation of head 12 is fitted a metallic bushing 14 provided with a laterally extending socket 15 which is adapted for the insertion of an electric wire 16. Bushing 11 accommodates a slidable rod 17 provided with a colla-r 18 which limits the up-stroke thereof. Below said collar, rod 17 is threaded to form a screw shank 19 which carries a disk-shaped plunger 20, held in position by a nut 21. Below plunger 20, there is housed within casing 10, an elastic conductive element, the electric resistance of which decreases .with increased compression. This element consists preferably of a slightly moistened sponge 22 which is shown to be secured to shank 19 by a metallic button 23, over which the sponge is drawn..

The latter is attached to the button by a fastener 24 arranged opposite a groove 25 of the button, by which means a reliable connection is insured. For operating rod 17,

4the latter is provided with a handle 26 and with a spring 27 interposed between said -handle and bushing 14:.

From bottom 11, there depends a screw socket 2S to which is removably fitted the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

serial no. 735,020.

shank 29 of a conductive pad or electrode proper 30.

In use, wire 16 is connected to one pole of a suitable induction coil or other source of electricity (not shown), the other pole of which is connected with the body of the patient in suitable manner. Pad 30 is now placed against that part of the body that requires treatment and then handle 26 is manipulated to impart a multitude of reci rocative movements to rod 17, during w ich manipulations, spring 27 serves to raise the rod whenever the pressure on the handle is relaxed. During each depression vof the handle, the inoistened sponge 22 is first brought into conductive engagement with bottom 11 and is then gradually compressed, whereby its conductivity is correspondingly increased. In this way, a current will be sent through the human body which alternately increases and decreases in strength, thus simulating the physical energizing process in the manner desired.

I claim:

1. A therapeutic electrode comprising a compressible elastic member, the electric conductivity of which increases under compression, means for conductively connecting said'member with a human body, means for supplying electric current to said member, and means for alternately compressing and releasing the same. v

2. A therapeutic electrode comprising a.V

casing having a conductivev bottom, an insulated Aconductive rod reciprocable in said casing, a sponge secured to the rod and adapted to be forced against the conductive bottom, so as to be compressed thereby, means for supplying electric current to the sponge, and current-applying means depending from said bottom.

8. A therapeutic electrode comprising a casing having an insulating head and a conductive botto-m, a bushing fitted into the head, a spring-influenced rod engaging the bushing, a handle on said rod, a plunger fitted to the rod, a sponge depending from the rod below said plunger and adapted to be forced against the conductive bottom so as to be compressed thereby, means for supplying electric current to the sponge, and current-applying means secured to the cylinder-bottom.

4. A device of the character described, comprising an electrode adapted to be applied to a human body, means for supplying electric current thereto, and a resistance controlled by the varying pressure of l0 said electrode against said body for correspondingly varying the strength of the current supplied to the body.

REINHOLD H. l/VAPPLER.

Witnesses:

FRANK V. BRIESEN, KATHERYNE KOCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

